>> i don't because then they would have put nancy pelosi in charge of the house of representatives. i think these ideas we talked see, i think these ideas we talked about are popular ideas. this was a close election. and unfortunately, divided government didn't work very well the last two years. we have to make sure it works in the next two years. that means i think both parties have to talk to each other. >> reporter: could you see supporting a plan that raises tax rates? >> i'm not for raising tax rates. >> reporter: you won't support a plan? >> i don't want to get into that but i don't support raising tax rates. >> reporter: period? >> yeah. i've been saying that my entire career. >> reporter: diane sawyer asked speaker boehner if you were now the de facto leader of the republican party, and his answer was -- >> oh, i wouldn't think so, paul ryan is a policy wonk. >> i take that as a great compliment from john. >> reporter: is that your role now in the republican party, policy wonk? >> i've always been one of the house policy wonks. my role is to continue to be a champion of idea